Indians outfielder Michael Brantley, who has quietly established himself as one of the most consistent and dependable players on the team, is close to agreeing with the club on a four-year $25 million contract.
The news was first reported by the Plain Dealer.
The official announcement could come Tuesday. The deal would take Brantley through his remaining arbitration years. He has an arbitration hearing scheduled for Feb. 17. Brantley filed for arbitration at $3.8 million and the Indians offered $2.7 million. Brantley made $526,900 last year.
The 26-year-old outfielder has single-handedly salvaged the 2008 trade with Milwaukee in which the Indians sent Cy Young winner CC Sabathia to the Brewers for a package of four prospects. Brantley is the only one who has done anything of significance for the Indians.
Last year, Brantley hit .284, tying him with Jason Kipnis for the team lead. He hit 10 home runs with 73 RBI and 17 stolen bases. He was third on the team in both RBI and steals. Brantley was also the Indians’ best hitter, and one of the best hitters in the American League, with runners in scoring position. He hit .375 with runners in scoring position, third best in the league.
Defensively Brantley played a Gold Glove caliber left field, with 11 outfield assists, fourth in the American League and the most by an Indians outfielder in 17 years.
Brantley will begin the 2014 season having played 245 consecutive games without an error. That’s an Indians’ franchise record, breaking the previous mark of 212 by Rocky Colavito, a record which stood for 47 years.
That Brantley could be on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the Indians is not a surprise. He’s what teams look for in candidates for multi-year deals. In his five years with the Indians he has been durable, dependable, productive, and he’s never been a distraction or embarrassed the ballclub on or off the field.
Manager Terry Francona frequently praised Brantley last year for his quiet professionalism, and willingness to do whatever he’s asked to do. Brantley’s versatility is reflected by the fact that he hit in eight of the nine spots in the lineup last year. He hit everywhere in Francona’s lineup but ninth.